Fresh produce company Turners and Growers says it will look overseas for support in its campaign to break the near monopoly on kiwifruit exports.
It has failed in its second attempt to get approval to export new kiwifruit varieties in a collaborative agreement with kiwifruit marketer Zespri, which controls exports to all overseas markets except Australia.
Turners' managing director, Jeff Wesley, says it won't bother with a further application, but will focus its lobbying efforts offshore.
Mr Wesley says the latest rejection shows up the Government, because it has been telling the World Trade Organisation that New Zealand's kiwifruit marketing system is not a trade monopoly, as it allows for others besides Zespri to export.
Trade minister Tim Groser says and the system will not be changed. He says New Zealand has two-thirds of the world trade in kiwifruit by value - but one-third by volume.
